Well Michigan State fans (and Big Ten fans for that matter) the big day has finally arrived and that’s the first Big Ten Championship game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers.
With only about three weeks left in the College Football Season, the Big Ten will finally determine who is tops in the conference and who gets that trip to Pasadena to take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Heading into the game, Michigan State is currently a 9.5 point underdog despite beating Wisconsin this year on a hail mary play in the final seconds which is sure to go down as one of the greatest college football games of all time.
The questions that now remain is can Michigan State make it two wins in one season over Wisconsin or will the Badgers finally get their revenge? Can Michigan State finally punch their first ticket to the Rose Bowl since 1988 or will Wisconsin make their second consecutive appearance in the big game?
Lets take a look at the keys to the game for Michigan State…
Wisconsin Player to Watch: Montee Ball, RB
The reigning Big Ten player of the year can certainly make it a long night for the Michigan State defense.
In the October meeting between these two teams at Spartan Stadium, Ball ran for 115 yards and one touchdown. All this was done despite missing the entire first quarter. With that in mind the Spartans are going to need to do everything they possibly can to limit Ball’s yards whether that be assigning a defender to him or using a lot of blitzing packages.
To make matters worse, the Wisconsin offensive line is big.
How big you ask?
They weigh about 15 pounds more than the entire Green Bay offensive line.
Michigan State Player to Watch: William Gholston, DE
In the last meeting between these two team, Gholston did not dress because of a suspension handed down to him by the Big Ten.
With Gholston back in the mix Saturday night, Michigan State should get the much-needed help in attempting to contain quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball.
Limit Wilson through the air, specifically to Nick Toon
Michigan State did an excellent job back in October limiting Russell Wilson’s favorite target Nick Toon. In that game the Spartans held Toon to only two catches for 58 yards.
If Michigan State can do that again this week, they will eliminate a huge part of the Wisconsin offense and take away one of Russell Wilson’s top weapons.
Get creative with the playbook
We all know that Mark Dantonio can and will get creative with the playbook if the situation calls for it.
Ironically enough one of the more noted trick plays for Michigan State came this season against Wisconsin when the offense was able to reverse to Keshawn Martin for the Spartans’ first touchdown of the night.
It’s that type of play that can and will keep Wisconsin on their toes all night.
Predictions
Prior to the start of the season, Wisconsin was hailed as the class of the Big Ten and a heavy favorite to win the Big Ten. Michigan State is somewhat of a surprise given the addition of Nebraska in the Legends division who many thought would be the Badgers’ opponent in the Big Ten title game.
Michigan State has had Wisconsin’s number the past couple season’s and because of that I think there is no reason why the line should be where it’s at.
The inaugural Big Ten title game will definitely be one to remember however it’s going to be touch for State to beat Wisconsin twice in the same year.
Tonight, Wisconsin shows why they are still the best team in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin wins 35-31
Ref: Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Lansing State Journal, Bleacher Report, Getty (image)